Events

The Pro Bono Collaborative Racial Justice Challenge: Housing

February 1 - May 31, 2023
Kick Off Zoom Event February 15, 2023, 6:00 p.m. | Virtual

Roger Williams University School of Law’s Pro Bono Collaborative is launching an education and awareness campaign around racial justice issues with a focus on housing.

Roger Pledge Day

February 15, 2023, University-Wide

RWU’s Racism Stops With Me Campaign launched nearly one year ago, but there’s still work to be done. Roger Pledge Day will be a day dedicated to advancing our communal understanding of racial equity.

Equitea Book & Media Club: Zami: A New Spelling Of My Name by Audre Lorde

February 15, 2023, 3:00 p.m. | Arch 293A

Equitea Book & Media Club: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

March 22, 2023, 3:00 p.m. | Arch 293A

The Rule of Law In Crisis: Talking About Core Legal Values, Human Rights, and Current Events in US Law School Classes

March 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. | Virtual

The Integrating Doctrine & Diversity Series is back this Spring with another lively discussion. This event features law student correspondents for JURIST from Ukraine and Myanmar discussing their experiences reporting on ongoing fundamental challenges to the rule of law in those countries. Two professors will join the conversation to discuss ways in which rule of law values, human rights issues and real-time legal news can be woven into US law school classes. Finally, a member of JURIST's professional staff will discuss the work JURIST is doing as its volunteer team of over 100 law student reporters, editors and correspondents from 50 law schools in the US and 25 other countries collaborate to cover the rule of law in crisis at home and abroad.

Women’s Affinity Group

October 5, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m | Mary Tefft White Cultural Center, University Library first floor

All women-identified employees welcomed.

In line with RWU's diversity, equity and inclusion goals and objectives, RWU strives to strengthen employee belonging through affinity spaces. Affinity spaces serve not only as a forum for education and professional development, but also to create a safe space for employees who share the same identities to engage in open conversations, share experiences and connections. Affinity Groups are voluntary, employee-led groups.

We understand that many employees may identify with one or more of these groups. FeeI free to attend multiple events. We will brainstorm about the future direction of the affinity groups and about possible projects involving employees. At this time, we ask that only individuals who identify within the respective communities join us for these events. We look forward to connecting with you!

Equitea Book & Media Club: Being ñ (Enye): The Healing of a Latino Generation

October 5, 2022, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | RWU School of Law, room 283

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month please join us for a screening of the award-winning film Being Enye followed by a fireside chat Q&A with director and producer, Denise Soler Cox.

In advance of the discussion, the 37-minute film is available for viewing via the RWU Library’s Kanopy Streaming Media database, or the Project Eñye website.

Being ñ explores the distinct, shared experience of 16 million people living in the U.S. today called Enyes (ñ)s. Enyes (ñ)s are first generation American-born Latinos with at least one parent from a Spanish -speaking country. A central theme of many Enyes’ experience growing up in the U.S. is not feeling fully connected with either the mainstream American culture or with the culture of their parent’s country of origin. The short subject documentary presents the inspiring, personal story of Denise Soler Cox; the co-founder of being ñ, and a first time Latina filmmaker, as she tries to launch a social movement and trigger a massive cultural awakening and build connection among American-born Latinos.

"What's The Best Way to Teach Art, Design and Architecture History in the 2020s?"

October 5, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | ARCH 132 DF Pray Foundation Lecture Theatre or online 

The Black Lives Matter movement has prompted interest in revising the way art is shown in museums, how it’s taught in colleges and universities, and how it’s written about. The consensus view is that the old “master narratives” of European art have to be seen alongside narratives of art in other parts of the world. Sometimes this is done by introducing new themes, like racism, colonialism, and decolonialism. At the same time, museums, departments, and textbooks are trying to diversify, adding instructors, artists, and artworks from previously under-represented groups. None of these strategies have worked. The lecture will report on a project to write a next-generation textbook on world art, design, and architecture, involving a thorough interrogation of fundamental concepts including “space,” “form,” “culture,” and “art.”

James Elkins is E.C. Chadbourne Professor in the Department of Art History, Theory, and Criticism, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His most recent book is The End of Diversity in Art Historical Writing. He writes on art and non-art images. 

Sponsored by the RWU Cummings School of Architecture.

 James T. Campbell, Professor of History at Stanford University

October 7, 2022, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Bayview Room, RWU School of Law

 As part of its Faculty Development Series, the RWU School of Law is pleased to announce that James T. Campbell, Professor of History at Stanford University will be discussing a chapter in the book he is authoring focused on the famous “Mississippi Freedom Summer,” involving the murders of civil rights workers Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman. The discussion will be moderated by Peter Margulies, RWU Professor of Law.

Sponsored by the RWU School of Law.

Racism Stops With Me Campaign Update: Student Access, Success & Equity

October 19, 3:00 p.m. | CAS 157

Integrating Doctrine & Diversity Speaker Series: Integrating Content on American Indian Law and Indigenous Identities

October 19, 2022, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The history, governmental policies, laws, and prejudices that have impacted and continue to impact Native American communities should not be relegated to classes on Federal Indian Law, or Native American Law, comparative law classes, or Tribal Law clinics. These topics, and the rich diversity of issues and identities within them should be integrated within doctrinal and skills-based law classes. This panel will present ideas on how to effectively integrate American Indian law into classes across the curriculum. This event will also allow you to ask questions directly to leading scholars who will provide advice and wisdom.

This event is co-sponsored by Roger Williams University School of Law, City University of New York School of Law, George Washington University Law School, Berkeley Law, and JURIST.

First Generation Day

November 8 and 9 | Bristol and Providence Campuses.

RWU is formally celebrating all of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni who identify – or identified – as first-generation college students, with our second annual First Generation Day Celebration. 

More Information on FirstGen Day Here  

Equitea Book & Media Club: The Chosen One: A First-Generation Ivy League Odyssey by Echo Brown

November 8, 2022, 3:00 p.m. | Mary Tefft White

 Wednesday, Feb. 9: EquiTea

3 p.m., Mary Teftt White

Selected Tea: You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame, Resilience, And The Black Experience, by Tarana Burke & Brene Brown

Light refreshments and amazing dialogue will be served.

The RWU Equitea Book & Media Club is co-sponsored by RWU's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion & the University Libraries

Tuesday, Feb 15: Faculty & Staff Kickoff Event

9 a.m., Virtual

RWU's Antiracism Campaign Kickoff will be an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn more about the origins of the campaign, upcoming events, and ways to get involved in the work. We'll also share updates on the Employee Access Success & Equity (EASE) portion of our Equity Action Plan, along with key data insights from our most recent faculty and staff climate survey and equity scorecard.

Tuesday, Feb. 16: Hidden Truths: Teaching Racial Democracy in a Latin American Studies Course

7 p.m., Virtual
Fernanda Righi, Lecturer of Spanish

In the United States, Latin American Studies are interdisciplinary programs that integrate concepts and ideas from different fields in the social sciences and humanities. During the last decades, Afro-Latin American Studies have presented numerous and original perspectives to analyze and study the African heritage of the peoples in Latin America, going from analyzing the inequalities and their intervention in the processes of national formation (De la Fuente-Reid). 

In this presentation, Professor Righi will introduce her proposal for teaching Afro-Latin American studies in the Introduction to Latin America and Latino Studies (LALS 100) at RWU. More specifically, she will focus on the concept of “racial democracy” in Brazil as a concept that used to describe this nation. Although academics and activists no longer characterize any country or society as a “racial democracy,” this is a useful concept to introduce in the classroom, especially when discussing racial formation in Latin America. In class, students read and watch different materials (from academic books to documentaries) about the construction of racial relations in Brazil and Latin America and they are encouraged to think about the similarities and differences with the United States (indeed, racial democracy was an idea often used to compare these countries). In this presentation, Professor Righi will introduce this material, the activities, and the discussion she proposed in the LALS 100 course to debate and think on racial justice (and injustices) in the past and the present. Additionally, she will present some of the challenges she experienced when teaching this concept and some changes she plans to implement in the future.

Thursday, Feb 24: Multicultural Student Union Hosts Black History Month Speakers Angela Harrelson and Paris Stevens, family of George Floyd

7 p.m., CAS 157 
RWU Professor Aaron Allen and CDO Stephanie Akunvabey, Co-Moderators 

Angela Harrelson and Paris Stevens are the aunt and cousin of George Floyd. After the passing of his mother, Floyd moved to Minneapolis to be closer to his family and build a new life. An unmarried father of three, Floyd wanted to escape the low-income Houston neighborhood where he grew up. Harrelson promised George's mother that she would look after him. Before her nephew’s death, she felt people didn’t want to talk about racism even in seemingly progressive cities like Minneapolis. Now, she’s encouraged that there’s a conversation about it across the country. “What happened to George changed people’s hearts,” she said and got them talking about the history of not just police brutality, but also the inequities in education, employment, and housing her family has faced.

Thursday, March 3: School of Law Thurgood Marshall Memorial Lecture

4 p.m., Virtual | Registration Required

Join Keynote Speaker Kimberly Jenkins Robinson for this virtual program, “A Roadmap to Educational Excellence and Equity for Rhode Island.”

Kimberly Jenkins Robinson is the Elizabeth D. and Richard A. Merrill Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law as well as a professor at both the School of Education and Human Development, and the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. She is an expert who speaks throughout the United States about K-20 educational equity, equal opportunity, civil rights, and federalism.

Tuesday, March 8: International Women's Day – Break the Bias

1-4 p.m., Great Room, North Campus Residence Hall 

International Women's Day logoThis year, RWU will participate in International Women's Day by celebrating women-identified students, staff and faculty through the lens of intersectionality and accountability. "Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias. Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality."- IWD 

Tuesday, March 8: Hidden Truths: (Just)ice for Emmett 

7 p.m., Virtual
Aaron Allen, Assistant Professor of Cultural Studies

In his talk, Aaron Allen, Assistant Professor of Cultural Studies, thinks beyond “place” in strictly geographic terms to examine Emmett Till’s place both within history and our collective memory. He pays considerable attention to how historical vacancies in Emmett’s story affects present-day racial disparities. The conversation hopes to map out an alternative cartography of Emmett in order to explore the relationship between racial justice, memory, and hidden truths.

Wednesday, April13: Equitea

3 p.m., Arch 239A

Selected Tea: Claude M. Steele's Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do

The acclaimed social psychologist offers an insider’s look at his research and groundbreaking findings on stereotypes and identity.

Steele, who has been called “one of the few great social psychologists,” offers a vivid first-person account of the research that supports his groundbreaking conclusions on stereotypes and identity. He sheds new light on American social phenomena from racial and gender gaps in test scores to the belief in the superior athletic prowess of black men, and lays out a plan for mitigating these “stereotype threats” and reshaping American identities.

The RWU Equitea Book & Media Club is co-sponsored by RWU's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion & the University Libraries

Monday, April 18: Civil Rights, Social Justice & the Game

7:15 p.m., NCRH Great Ro

Join us for an evening of dialogue with Peter Babcock, a former NBA Executive who served as a general manager for the San Diego Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks. With an impressive NBA career and a deep commitment to social justice issues, Mr. Babcock has a wealth of knowledge about the challenges and triumphs of marginalized athletes in this country. During this event, Mr. Babcock will discuss civil rights, the NBA, and details on how he has leveraged his position to help create change in local communities.

Peter Babcock is a former NBA executive, serving as general manager with three franchises; the San Diego Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks. He also worked in a variety of capacities from scouting to coaching to player personnel with the New Orleans Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers over a 42-year period. Mr. Babcock served as president and minority owner in his final two seasons with the Denver Nuggets. His Nuggets and Hawks teams appeared in the playoffs 14 out of 15 seasons. Babcock also directed the NBA Pre Draft Camp for over twenty years, served on the competition and rules committee and steering committee for the NBA and was a member of the USA basketball men's selection committee picking the 1996 Olympic team and head coach. Mr. Babcock recently served as a contributor the book Black History: An Inclusive Account of American History, and he currently teaches a course at Emory University.

Tuesday, April 26: Integrating Doctrine & Diversity Speaker Series: Auditing Your Syllabus and Classroom Materials

3-4 p.m. Virtual 

This event is co-sponsored by the RWU School of Law, City University of New York School of Law and JURIST.

In the final installment of the yearlong Integrating Doctrine & Diversity Speaker Series, we will reexamine our syllabi and reconsider our assigned readings to learn how to further invite conversations about diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice into the classroom. Hear helpful strategies and advice from law professors who are innovating in large and small ways with engaging teaching techniques and practices.

Thursday, April 28: Hidden Truths: Refugee Resettlement, Resilience, & Resistance: Southeast Asians Against State Violence

7 p.m., Virtual
Keith Catone, Executive Director of CYCLE, with Chanda Womack, of ARISE, and Sarath Suong, of Southeast Asian Freedom Network 

Almost fifty years ago, Southeast Asians experienced massive upheaval and violence shaped by US militarism in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. As a result of the War in Vietnam, the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia, and the mass carpet bombing of Laos, over 1.4 million Southeast Asian refugees were brought to the US as part of the largest refugee resettlement program in US history. The Refugee Resettlement Program promised to resettle and stabilize our communities, but instead it abandoned them. Southeast Asians resettled in under-resourced and over-policed neighborhoods in New England cities like Providence, Rhode Island and Lowell, Massachusetts. Despite these socio-economic challenges, Southeast Asians built vibrant communities and powerful organizations.

Locally, the Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE) was founded to amplify and elevate the educational needs of Southeast Asian students and other students of color through a Black Liberation lens. ARISE equips young people with the political education and organizing tools to navigate and challenge the current systems that do not serve them as whole people. 

Nationally, the Southeast Asian Freedom Network (SEAFN) was formed in 2001 to create a united front against the deportation of Cambodian American refugees. After two decades, SEAFN has evolved into a national movement family of local organizations dedicated to the mass mobilization of Southeast Asian communities towards abolition.

Together, these organizations work to expose the school-to-prison-to-deportation pipeline and other hidden truths about the realities of what it means to be Southeast Asian in a world where the impact of oppressive state power, colonialism, and social persecution give shape to the narratives we are told. Through a moderated discussion, Chanda Womack and Sarath Suong will lift up stories of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement, resilience, and resistance.